Reusable handle apparatus

ABSTRACT

A reusable handle apparatus for use with at least one bag having at least one flexible handle. The reusable apparatus comprises an elongated substantially hollow first member formed of a substantially rigid material, such first member having a generally U shape. Such first member for receiving therein at least one handle portion of such at least one bag. A second member is engageable with and covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the first member. The second member formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface engageable with at least a portion of the hand of a person carrying such at least one bag.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/595,403 filed Jun. 30, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a handle, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a reusable handle apparatus that can be used when carrying several bags such as grocery bags for protecting the hands of the individual carrying such bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nearly everyone has carried grocery bags from the store to the car and certainly from the car to the house. It is a general practice to carry several bags at one time so as to make as few trips as possible. There is one problem that is encountered by everyone that has carried these bags. That problem is the thin handles on the plastic bags can dig into the fingers and make carrying these bags uncomfortable. This is particularly true if the bag contains relatively heavy items like half gallons of milk, bottles of carbonated beverages or even containers of orange juice.

If a person chooses to make multiple trips some of the discomfort can be eliminated by carrying only one or at most just a few bags at one time. However, the majority of people would prefer to make fewer trips and, thus, have to put up with the discomfort.

It is even more important in the case or cases where people walk one or two blocks or even more to the grocery store and carry the bags home with them. The bags can become very uncomfortable and the hands can become quite sore.

The same can be said for a person or persons at a shopping mall who walks to various stores and carries packages around with them to all of the stores. The packages, although not usually as heavy as grocery bags, can become quite a burden and the hands bear the brunt of this.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a device which could be used to aid in carrying the bags so as to eliminate the problem with the bag handles digging into the hands or fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides a reusable handle apparatus for use with at least one bag having at least one flexible handle. The reusable apparatus comprises an elongated substantially hollow first member formed of a substantially rigid material, such first member having a generally U shape. Such first member for receiving therein at least one handle portion of such at least one bag and a second member engageable with and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the first member. The second member formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface engageable with at least a portion of the hand of a person carrying such at least one bag.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a reusable handle apparatus for use with at least one bag having at least one flexible handle. The reusable apparatus comprises an elongated first member formed of a substantially rigid material, such first member having one of loops and hooks formed on each end of such first member. Each of one of the hooks and loops for receiving at least one handle portion of such at least one bag and a second member engageable with and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the first member. Such second member formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface engageable with at least a portion of the hand of a person carrying such at least one bag.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a reusable handle apparatus that can be used when carrying grocery bags.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable handle apparatus that will relieve pressure on the hands or fingers from the handles of such grocery bags.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable handle apparatus that is easy to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a a reusable handle apparatus that can be made in various sizes to fit different size hands.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of such reusable handle apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of such reusable handle apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of such reusable handle apparatus shown carrying a shopping bag according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of such reusable handle apparatus shown carrying such grocery bags according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of such reusable handle apparatus showing a different use for such handle apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the interior the embodiment FIG. 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

The present invention is designed to offer users a helping hand when carrying grocery bags or other similar type bags. Normally when a person goes grocery shopping, in particular, the person leaves the store with more than one bag. These plastic bags have relatively narrow or thin handles which can cut into a person's hand or fingers when carrying several bags or even one bag if the contents are relatively heavy such as several half gallons of milk or half gallons of carbonated soda. Carrying such bags can be quite uncomfortable. This is particularly true for the persons who have to carry these bags for several blocks to their homes. Thus, the present invention provides comfort for the hand and fingers in carrying these bags.

The present invention provides a reusable handle apparatus, generally designated 10, for use with at least one bag 12 having at least one flexible handle. The reusable handle apparatus 10 comprises an elongated substantially hollow first member 2 formed of a substantially rigid material, such first member 2 having a generally U shape. Such first member 2 is for receiving therein at least one handle portion of such at least one bag. A second member 4 is engageable with and covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the first member 2. The second member 4 is formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface that is engageable with at least a portion of the hand of a person carrying such at least one grocery bag. It is preferred that such second member 4 be formed over and secured to such first member 2.

The first member 2 of such reusable handle apparatus 10 which is substantially rigid is formed of one of plastic, metal and rubber. It is preferred that such first member is made of plastic. Also if such metal, if used, it is preferred that such metal is aluminum.

The second member 4 of such reusable handle apparatus 10 is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam rubber, leather, plastic and combinations thereof. It is preferred that such second member is formed of a synthetic rubber and that such synthetic rubber is neoprene or foam rubber.

It is also preferred that such second member 4 includes indentations 6, for use as finger grips, molded along a bottom portion of the second member 4 so as to provide comfort to such hand and fingers when using the handle apparatus 10.

As seen in FIG. 1 such second member 4 also may include a closure means, generally designated 20, as an aid in securing the reusable handle apparatus 10 over such flexible handle of such bag 12. It is preferred that such closure means 20 be one of a Velcro (hook and loop) 14 closure. As illustrated in FIG. 6 such reusable handle apparatus 10 may also include a gelpack 9 that is disposed between such first member 2 and such second member 4 to provide even more comfort for the hand.

In a second aspect, as seen in FIG. 2 and 4, the present invention provides a reusable handle apparatus 10 for use with at least one bag 12 having at least one flexible handle. The reusable apparatus 10 comprises an elongated first member 22 formed of a substantially rigid material, such first member 22 having one of loops and hooks 24 formed on each end of such first member 22. Each of one of the hooks and loops 24 for receiving at least one handle portion of such at least one bag 12. There is a second member 26 that is engageable with and covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the first member 22. Such second member 26 is formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface that is engageable with at least a portion of the hand of a person carrying such at least one bag 12.

Such first member 22 of such reusable handle apparatus 10 which is substantially rigid is formed of one of plastic, metal and rubber. It is presently preferred that such metal, if used, is aluminum. Such first member 22 may be solid or hollow. If it is hollow it must possess enough strength to hold a plurality of grocery bags without bending. It is presently preferred that such first member is aluminum and that it is solid.

Such second member 26 of the reusable handle apparatus 10 is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam rubber, leather, plastic and combinations thereof. It is presently preferred that such second member 26 is a synthetic rubber and that such synthetic rubber is neoprene or foam rubber. It is also presently preferred that such second member 26 be firmly secured to such first member 22 so that there is no chance of any slippage between the two members. It is preferred that such second member 26 be secured to the first member 22 by means of an adhesive.

It is also preferred that such second member 26 further includes indentations 28 for use as finger grips that are molded along a bottom portion of the second member 26 so as to provide comfort to such hand and fingers when using the reusable handle apparatus 10.

Such first member 22 has such one of hooks and loops 24 disposed on the ends of the first member 22 for receiving a handle portion of such at least one grocery bag. As is evident in FIG. 4 one of such handle of the grocery bag engages one end of the hook or loop 24 on one end of the first member 22 while the other handle member of the grocery bag engages the other hook or loop 24 on the other end of such first member 22. In this manner the weight of the bags would tend to be more evenly balanced; however, both of the handles of one bag 12 could be placed on one hook 24 and the handles of another bag 12 placed on the other hook 24. Such apparatus 10 is designed to carry a plurality of bags.

Illustrated in FIG. 5 is a different embodiment of the invention wherein such handle apparatus 10 has an aperture 32 disposed on an end of the handle apparatus 10 for securing a set of keys to the handle 10. This way a persons keys would be immediately available without searching in a pocket or purse.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A reusable handle apparatus for use with at least one bag having at least one flexible handle, said reusable apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated substantially hollow first member formed of a substantially rigid material, said first member having a generally U shape, said first member for receiving therein at least one handle portion of such at least one bag; and (b) a second member engageable with and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of said first member, said second member formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface engageable with at least a portion of a hand of a person carrying such at least one bag.
 2. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first member is formed of one of plastic, metal and rubber.
 3. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said metal is aluminum.
 4. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second member is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam rubber, leather, plastic and combinations thereof.
 5. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said second member is synthetic rubber.
 6. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said synthetic rubber is neoprene.
 7. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second member includes indentations for use as finger grips molded along a bottom portion of said second member so as to provide comfort to such hand and fingers when using said handle apparatus.
 8. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second member further includes a closure means as an aid in securing said reusable handle over such flexible handle of such bag.
 9. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said closure means is a hook and loop closure.
 10. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said reusable handle apparatus further includes a gelpack disposed intermediate said first member and said second member.
 11. A reusable handle apparatus for use with at least one bag having at least one flexible handle, said reusable apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated first member formed of a substantially rigid material, said first member having one of loops and hooks formed on each end of said first member, each one of said hooks and loops for receiving at least one handle portion of such at least one bag; and (b) a second member engageable with and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of said first member, said second member formed of a substantially soft elastomeric material having an outer surface engageable with at least a portion of a hand of a person carrying such at least one bag.
 12. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said first member is formed of one of plastic, metal and rubber.
 13. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said metal is aluminum.
 14. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said second member is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam rubber, leather, plastic and combinations thereof.
 15. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said second member is synthetic rubber.
 16. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said second member includes indentations for use as finger grips molded along a bottom portion of said second member so as to provide comfort to such hand and fingers when using said handle apparatus.
 17. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said second member is secured to said first member by means of an adhesive.
 18. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said first member is one of solid and hollow.
 19. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 18, wherein said first member is solid.
 20. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said first member has C-shaped hooks formed on each end.
 21. The reusable handle apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said reusable handle apparatus further includes an aperture disposed on an end of said reusable handle apparatus. 